Niki

It’s been two days since I confessed my feelings to Gavin. I thought it would make me feel better, knowing I had someone to talk to, but it actually had the opposite effect. The way he reacted…I just…it hurt.

Our friendship took a hard right that day, and I’m the reason for it all. I tried to stop it; I tried to tell him I couldn’t talk about it, but I was between a rock and hard place. If I didn’t tell him, he would have left angry…but by telling him, he left crushed.

Last night, he told me Kara invited us to go out, but somehow, I highly doubt she wanted me to tag along. So, I declined and encouraged him to go out and explore his feelings. After all, isn’t that what I’m doing? Right?

So, why does it bother me that it’s almost noon on a Sunday, and I still haven’t heard from him?

Jealousy? It could be, but before I call him and do something stupid, I quickly dial Aubrey.

“’Sup skank! Miss me?” I don’t wait for her greeting.

“Niki! You’re on speaker, and I have the girls with me.”

“Oh, I’m sure they weren’t even paying attention,” I try to reassure her.

“Andie, that’s Niki, my mommy’s best friend. She says really bad words, but Mommy says she prays about it at night, and God will forgive her as long as she is sorry,” I hear Reece say in the background.

“My daddy says bad words sometimes too. I made him a word jar…and he has to put money in it, but he said when it gets full, I can do whatever I want with it. Isn’t that cool? I hope he says them forever…I’ll be rich, Reeses…RICH!” Andie, Drew’s daughter, chimes in.

“Yeah, they didn’t hear a thing,” Aubrey says sarcastically. “Hey, Niki, I have to go. The girls are trying to help us pack a lunch for Sunday at the park.”

“That’s fine. I don’t leave for another few days; I’ll make sure to check in before I go.”

“Yes! We will get together and have lunch, or you can come over and help me paint?” She chuckles. “You know, in case you get bored.”

“Sure. Talk to you soon.”

“Bye, love.” I hang up the phone and throw it down on the table.

Now what?

Grabbing a magazine off the table, I head for the patio to get a little fresh air while catching up with the celebrity gossip.

Right outside of my apartment is a white Lexus with dark tinted windows, just sitting on the side of the road. It’s not uncommon for vehicles to be parked along this stretch, but a part of me is waiting for the door to fly open and Aiden to appear.

Instead, Monica, one of the mothers from the school, gets out with her son Tucker, who has on a Cub Scout uniform. Waving from the balcony to get their attention, I call them over.

Running inside I grab my phone and head out. “Hi there, Tucker! What are you doing today?”

“Hi, Miss Niki! I didn’t know you live here. Mom said we were going to Aunt Cee Cee’s to sell popcorn, but then came out here.” He grabs on to his mom’s hand, looking up. “Are we going to sell popcorn here too?”

Tucking a piece of blonde hair behind her ear, she laughs nervously. “Now Tucker, Mommy explained that I had to run some errands first.”

“I know Mom. Can I ask Miss Niki to buy some popcorn? I know she loves it; she has some for a snack when we go out for recess.”

Monica looks me up and down, landing on my face to gauge my reaction. But if looks could kill, I would be dead. “Sure, Tucker. I’m sure Miss Niki would love to purchase a tin.”

Grabbing the paper out of his mom’s hands, he walks up to me, handing me the pen and paper. “Would you, Miss Niki? Buy some popcorn, please…if I sell one hundred tins, I get to go on a trip.” He sticks out his lip, giving me his best pout.

“Sure, Tucker. You know me…popcorn is one of my favorite snacks during the school year.”

“Hmm!” Monica grunts.

I look up. “Excuse me?” I ask, to make sure I heard her right, but her face is plastered with a fake smile, ignoring my question.

Maybe I turned Tucker’s card one too many times.

“Let’s go inside so I can write you a check.”

“In your apartment? That’s so cool! I’ve never been in an apartment before. Mom says it’s kind of like a hotel, but you stay for longer than a vacation.” Tucker follows me in with Monica trailing behind him.

This kid is one of the best students I have ever had. So adorable and charming. He must get it from his dad since his mom seems like she has a bottle of chardonnay stuck up her ass.

“Your mom is correct. It’s kinda like that, but I get to stay for as long as I want without having to worry about all the yucky chores.” I tickle his belly, listening to his sweet giggle. “You know, like mowing the lawn, cleaning the windows…” I stick my tongue out, making a face.

“Mommy says that’s what daddies are for, but I don’t have one. Aunt Cee Cee helps us with that stuff.”

“Tucker! I have told you about telling our personal business to strangers.” She feigns shock.

“Mom, Miss Niki is my teacher, not a stranger.” His face fills with worry.

“Hey, Tucker, let’s get this ordered, shall we? What kind of popcorn should I get? Hmmmm…” I tap the pen to my chin.

“Get the one that has the four flavors. You will love that. Sometimes, when mom lets me, I’ll mix the cheese and brown sweet one.” Tucker looks up to his mom and asks, “What kind is that again?”

“Caramel popcorn.” She busies herself on her phone. Holding it up, I’m assuming, taking a selfie.

Lord…can’t she put her phone down for one minute?

Rolling my eyes, I fill out the form and start to write out the check. “Tucker, I think you make a fantastic salesman. I’m going to order five of the large popcorn tins.” I rip the check out and hand it to him with the form. “How does that sound?”

“Mom!” His eyes go wide, and he runs over to her. “Miss Niki ordered FIVE of them!”

“Well, I guess you better thank her then. Go on, Tucker. Tell your teacher thank you.” She gives him a little push.

Running back over, he wraps his tiny arms around me, tackling me to the ground. “Miss Niki, you are my favoritest teacher EVER!”

Laughing at his cuteness, I stand up with him in my arms, giving him one last squeeze before I set him down.

“Come on, Tucker.” She looks down at her diamond-studded watch. “We’re running behind, and you know how Aunt Cee Cee likes to spend time with you.”

“Yes, Mom.” He reaches up to hold her hand. “I like spending time with her, too.”

As they walk toward the door to leave, Monica stops in her tracks. “Wow! Is that a Bulgari original?” She looks at me over her shoulder.

“Excuse me?”

“The bracelet over there?” She looks over to the table at the serpenti diamond wrap Aiden bought me.

“Yes, it was a gift.”

“Thought so.” She opens the door to leave, tugging Tucker behind her.

“Bye, Miss Niki! See you in…” He starts to count on his hands, then gives up. “A lot of days.”

“Yes! I look forward to it, Tucker.”

Closing the door behind them, I hunt down my phone so I can call Gavin. He’s not going to believe this.

I dial his number, and it starts to ring but is quickly sent to voicemail. Then I get a text from him.

Are you kidding me?

Gavin: Kara is still over. Call you later?

Me: Still?

Gavin: Yeah. Talk soon.

Just great! My only two friends, and neither of them can talk, and they wonder why I never bother them with my issues.

Heading to my bedroom, I contemplate going for a run to clear my head but instead, flop across my bed and settle down for a mid-afternoon nap.

I wake to a pounding on my door and someone shouting my name. “Niki! Answer your goddamn door!”

Springing up out of bed, I pull open my nightstand and grab my Taser gun. I quietly feel my way through the apartment — apparently I slept through the afternoon and into the night. It’s dark, and I’m afraid to flip on the lights and draw attention.

“Niki! I know you are in there. Open up!”

“Aiden?” I rush to the door and swing it open, forgetting the chain is still connected causing it to swing back and hit Aiden as he tries to come through the door.

“Son of a bitch,” he curses.

“Oh, shit! I’m sorry.” I close the door and unlatch the chain.

Aiden swings the door open and walks right in. “We have to go!”

“What are you doing here?” I’m in shock that Aiden is standing in my apartment and not in Dallas where he was supposed to be for the weekend.

“Now!”

“Calm down. What’s going on, and what happened to Dallas?” I reach for the light switch and flip it on.

“I had to leave. Something came out, and we need to leave for L.A. tonight.” He looks around my apartment, for what I don’t know.

“I thought I had a few more days?”

Ignoring me, he heads down the hall. “Where are your suitcases? We don’t have time for you to fuck around.”

“A – you can’t just come in here all freaked out and caveman-like ordering me around, and B – I can pack myself; thank you very much.” I push past him and get my bags that I just unpacked last night.

“Well, Miss Sanders, A – I can, and I will come in here ordering you around. That is what I pay you for. You, available, twenty-four seven. And B – you can pack yourself if you hurry up. Just grab the necessities. I’ll have your wardrobe shipped to L.A.,” he says as he takes a seat on my bed.

Throwing my bag down next to him, I begin to open my drawers. “How many days will we be there, now?” I dig around in my lingerie drawer, looking for matching sets.

“Until business is finished.”

Grabbing a handful of thongs in one hand and a couple in the other, I turn toward him. “Does that translate into this?” I hold up the left hand with a few pairs. “Or that?” I raise the right hand with an overflowing amount.

“This,” he says getting up and walking to the bedroom door. “But if we stay a little longer…going commando never hurt anyone.” He winks. “Do you have anything to drink?” he asks as he heads for the kitchen.

“Just beer,” I call out.

“That works. You want one?” he hollers back.

“Nah, I’m good. What happened to being in a hurry?”

“We are. Down to five minutes.” He’s back, leaning against my door frame. He twists the cap off and takes a swig, making a face. “Tastes like water.” He looks at the bottle.

“It’s light beer.” I throw him a look while I toss a couple cute bikinis I bought, while in town yesterday, into my bag and zip it up. “All done. You ready?”

Walking over, he grabs my bag. “As ready as I can be.”

And just like that, we’re gone, and this time, I wonder if anyone will notice.